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So I’ve decided I no longer want to play with the drummer I’ve been with as he really belongs to another genre (he listens to metal only but my music is alt rock) not to say he hasn’t been able to adapt though. He has always had troubles with the metronome, (he seems to think/count what he plays rather than feel) to the point where recording projects could not be completed or the result wasn’t good enough, basically we are at different levels musically and on different planes artistically. I’ve actually always felt I would eventually need a new drummer from the day we started but it was my first time leading a band and he was the only guy I found at the time. 2 years have gone by now…

The thing is I’m in the process of recording an Album (http://recording.org/home-recording-forum/55207-home-recording-an-album.html) that I will be putting my 10+ years of music making into, as it finally seems like it’s time (A single we recorded a few months ago, which in my opinion sounds like crap, got into national radio without me knowing about it until later http://bajopresionrecords.bandcamp.com/album/spatial-home-single). So basically I’m going for the big break through with this one so everything needs to be as perfect as possible!

I recently recorded a couple of demo songs home and he seems to have done an alright job, I like what he has done in terms of the sound of the drums part but he is not a consistent muscician and I’m afraid he won’t be able to record good enough tracks in the studio and just be a big waste of time.

We’ve been playing together for 2 years, I consider him my friend and he is the great band mate, very motivated and always willing to put the work in which has been nothing but great for the band. I’ve always defined the basic rhythm of the drums for the him on most songs as he tends to have trouble "getting" the vibe of the songs but in a way some of the songs have his mark with the drums as he has a particular style and sound and we have played them many times and he is the guy who first allowed me to listen to my music backed by non-synth drums, it would be fair I guess to give him the chance to record these songs as most of the drums, specially on the heavier songs, are great.

On the other hand I recently jammed with another drummer who plays with one of the biggest bands in my country and he not only seems to have a much more common taste but seems also to be interested to play with me. When we jammed it felt great and natural, it sounded great, unlike with my current drummer where it’s good sometimes and many times its crap. Most importantly he seemed to be at ease whilst improvising which is the opposite of what I sense from my current drummer. I think this new guy would not only maybe do much better with my songs but compose great drums for most songs without me even having to tell him a thing.

To wrap this up, I’ haven’t talked to either of them but I want to know what to do before I do. I basically need advice on whether to try to record the couple songs we have played with my old drummer and the rest with the new guy who could maybe and hopefully be playing with me as a band member, or if it’s best to scrap it and record it all with the better, hopefully new drummer even though my old drummer already has great drum parts for some songs??

Thanks! :)

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Comments

pcrecord Sat, 12/07/2013 - 06:55

Well, you can't force change a person. We need to be changed by our own desires, our experiences and our own understanding of who we are and who we want to be.

A band mate is like an associate in a business. If we stop working together, we better both be mature enough to take the time to discuss the reasons and arrive to a point of understanding before thinking about being just friends.

So I'd say, voice your concerns about what bothers you and explain the opportunity given to you.. let your friend be part of your decision and maybe it will help him not falling in a defensive position and have a better understanding of your dilema.